EASY TRIPS
Baby, it’s cold outside, but not in the southern hemisphere where New Zealand is
located. It’s summer and the warm sunlight is enough to beckon thousands of Kiwis to
step outside to explore the natural playground that is their backyard. This country of
endless coastline, a myriad of inland lakes, rivers and mountain streams means
water-based activities are aplenty this time of year as well. The best way to explore the
majesty of New Zealand is with a road trip across the South Island. A quick six-day or
longer itinerary allows for ample time to hike through Arthur’s Pass National Park in
Christchurch, take a scenic heli-flight over the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, and bike
around Mt Cook Village and Lake Tekapo. Pencil in adrenaline-filled activities as well
by making a necessary stop in Queenstown – bungee jumping, skydiving, ziplining
and white-water rafting are just some of the activities available. For animal lovers, stop
by Oamaru as well to visit the Blue Penguin colony where 200 of these birds make
their daily pilgrimage from the water to dry land for the night.
SOUTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND MAKE IT HAPPEN
The great outdoors
Fly to Christchurch on South Island on
Qantas Airways from Singapore with one stop
in Brisbane, Australia first. Flights from Kuala
Lumpur include an additional stop in
Singapore (from US$713; qantas.com). For a
similar six-day itinerary, check newzealand.
com for their detailed South Island road trips.
Road trip like the locals and hire a
campervan for a real outdoor living experience.
Most campervan rental companies include
accessories like gas cookers, bedding, tents and
more. Escape Campervan Rentals has one of
the most comprehensive packages with
pick-ups and drop-offs in both Auckland and
Christchurch (from US$95 per day before tax;
escaperentals.co.nz).